Spanish Classes Near Me

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Discover the Best Spanish Classes Near Me

When it comes to native languages, Spanish is the second most spoken in the world, behind Mandarin. As a Romance language, Spanish can be traced back to Latin, specifically spoken Latin. The language developed in the Iberian Peninsula and, after much intermingling, particularly with Arabic speakers, Castilian Spanish formed by the 1200s. Over time, other dialects developed, however Early Modern Spanish, a variant used between the 15th and 17th centuries, was spread around the world by Spanish conquerors and missionaries. Modern Spanish, which is in use today, still shows substantial Arabic influence but there are noticeable differences in grammar and vocabulary within regional varieties of the language. 

Today, over 485 million people speak Spanish as their first language. It’s the official language of 20 countries and is commonly spoken in places such as the United States and Belize. Although there were attempts to maintain consistency in the language, Spanish spoken in one country may be very different from Spanish spoken in another country. The differences in dialects are largely attributed to the history of each country. Dialects have been influenced by indigenous languages as well as responses to regional trends and culture.

Speakers of Romance languages, like French and Italian, catch onto Spanish quickly because all Romance languages are rooted in Latin. English is primarily Germanic, but English speakers tend to pick Spanish more easily than other languages because both are influenced by Latin and French. As such, English and Spanish share many similar words. Unlike English, however, Spanish uses two grammatical genders: masculine and feminine. Spanish also has more tenses and, therefore, verb conjugations than English.

Why You Should Learn Spanish

There are several benefits to learning a new language. Learning a new language can help you improve your memory. When you learn a new language, you need to remember new vocabulary and grammar rules. With consistent practice, you’ll work your memory as you store this new information. This will also help you think on your feet better because you’ll need to form connections between vocabulary and grammar as you speak the language. 

Children who learn a second language see improvement in their cognitive abilities and are considered more creative than monolingual children. Learning a language as an older adult also works out your brain. When you’re older, learning a new language can help form new connections in your brain and strengthen nervous system links. It’s also been found that knowing how to speak two or more languages can potentially slow the development of dementia. Overall, becoming bilingual or multilingual is a useful way of improving brain function. 

Not only does Spanish have nearly 500 million native speakers, but it’s estimated that around 74 million people speak Spanish as a second language. Within the US alone, over 40 million people, or about 12.5% of the population speak Spanish as a first language, and 15 million speak it as a second language. Spanish is the most studied language in the US alone, and it’s predicted that the US will be the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world by the year 2050. Learning Spanish will open you up to communicating with so many more people than you already can. This can be useful in both your personal and professional life. 

It’s likely that you already hear Spanish in your daily life, whether you understand it or not. Plenty of Spanish words are also commonly used by English speakers already. Thanks to the popularity of Spanish in the US, there are plenty of ways to improve your understanding of the language, opening you up to all these benefits. 

5 Ways to Learn Spanish

If you’re interested in improving your understanding of Spanish, plenty of resources exist for you. When trying to learn a new language efficiently and effectively, it’s recommended that you immerse yourself in it through everyday activities. This learning style, known as immersive language learning, is effective when combined with submersion language learning, which takes place in a formal setting like a classroom. After thinking about your learning style, consider one of these five ways to learn Spanish:

1. Take an in-person Spanish class taught by a fluent instructor. Formal classes will provide you with the opportunity to practice speaking Spanish. You’ll receive feedback from your professor which can help improve your pronunciation. 
2. Take a live online Spanish class. These remote classes are a great alternative to in-person classes if you can’t commute to one. You’ll still have access to a fluent instructor who will guide you through your lessons, although you may need to purchase additional materials. 
3. Learn Spanish by following along with a self-paced, on-demand class. These classes are posted online for free and can be followed along at your own pace. This is convenient if you have a busy schedule and can’t commit to a live class. The downside to these classes, however, is that you won’t have access to an instructor to ask questions or receive corrections on your pronunciation. 
4. Find a book or audiobook that can teach you Spanish. These books are available at your local library or bookstore. Some Spanish books are focused on vocabulary, while others are focused on grammar or both. It may take some time to find a book that best suits your learning style, and you won’t know if your pronunciation is right from the book alone, but this is a popular way to learn a new language. 
5. Look for a language learning app that offers Spanish. Apps may be free or available at a low price. These are a great way to learn Spanish on the go, however, apps don’t typically provide in-depth language instruction. Instead, they tend to focus on vocabulary. 

If you’ve decided you want to learn Spanish, consider if you need guided instruction or if you’d prefer to be self-taught. You should also consider what learning method you have time for. Taking an in-person or live online Spanish class is the most thorough way to learn Spanish, however, they’ll need to fit into your schedule and they’re not free. Other methods will allow you to take your time and may be more affordable, but they'll provide less instruction and may not be as intuitive. To effectively learn Spanish, it’s recommended that you spend at least 30 minutes a day, so you may also want to consider combining these methods. 

In-Person Spanish Classes

In-person Spanish classes are offered around the country. These are a great way to receive formal instruction and to practice speaking the language. Classes are tailored for skill level, so you can start in a beginner class and work your way up to taking advanced classes. You’ll be taught by a fluent instructor who’ll provide you with feedback. In-person classes are also a great way to socialize and meet others with an interest in learning Spanish. 

ABC Languages, located in New York City, offers several Spanish classes both in person and online. If you have no prior experience with Spanish, you can head down to their Manhattan location and take their Total Beginner Spanish class. In this introductory class, you will spend six weeks learning basic Spanish conversation skills, vocabulary, and grammar. Each 90-minute class will blend a formal and interactive approach. The interactive approach will allow you to focus on your conversation skills and pronunciation. After you’ve taken their Total Beginner class, you’ll have the opportunity to continue your learning by taking higher-level Spanish classes with ABC Languages. 

Learn Spanish New York, a Spanish language center located in Union Square, Manhattan, also offers beginner-level Spanish classes. The center aims to provide affordable Spanish classes taught by native Spanish speakers from around the world. In the first part of their beginner Spanish series, you’ll begin speaking Spanish from the start of your first class. No prior experience is necessary; you can expect to get a well-rounded introduction to the language in parts one and two of the series. 

After you’ve finished the first two beginner classes at Learn Spanish New York, you can sign-up for the next series of beginner classes they offer. The first course will focus on vocabulary and descriptive terms that can take your understanding of the language to the next level. Be sure to check out each class page to know what book is recommended by the instructor as well as the book content that will be covered in each class. 

If you’re in the Malibu area and are looking to get started learning Spanish, check out the classes offered by Santa Monica College. Their class, Beginning Spanish, is great for newbies who’d like to learn how to effectively communicate in Spanish. There is a $10 materials fee for this class, which goes toward the book you’ll be using in the class, and an optional $10 fee if you’d like language CDs. 

Spanish Conversation & Pronunciation: Level 1, is a beginner-level Spanish class offered by Los Angeles City College, in LA. This class focuses on the basics of communicating in Spanish. You’ll receive instruction on the fundamentals of the language, with emphasis on basic grammar, personal pronouns, pronunciation, and conversational dialogue. Class materials will be emailed to you. 

The Discovery Center in Chicago, Illinois hosts Practical Spanish, a beginner class that’s ideal if you’re planning to take a trip to a Spanish-speaking country. The class covers basic grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure. By the end of it, you’ll be prepared to function in a Spanish-speaking country or a Hispanic community. If you enjoy the class and would like to take more, the Discovery Center also offers intermediate and advanced-level classes. 

If you have a child that you’d like to learn Spanish as well, look into classes offered by Sponge. This language program, based in Bellevue, Washington, hosts several Spanish camps for children aged four through seven. 

Virtual Spanish Classes 

Virtual Spanish classes are another thorough way to start learning Spanish. These classes are taught remotely by live instructors from around the country. You can take the class from anywhere with a stable internet connection that’s interruption-free, including your home or office. There are online Spanish classes available for you to take on CourseHorse. 

Fluent City offers beginner and intermediate-level Spanish classes. The beginner class is welcoming to both new and returning learners. Each class will be split into small groups. Within these groups, you’ll engage in conversational Spanish and receive feedback from your instructor. 

Fluent City also hosts a Spanish crash course. This class is meant for people either preparing to travel to a Spanish-speaking country or simply looking to learn the basics of Spanish quickly. Over the course of this two-day interactive workshop, you’ll learn how to introduce yourself, order in a restaurant, request directions, and more. 

RoLa Languages offers classes in Romance languages, like Spanish, Italian, and French, as well as English, and Mandarin. In their class, Spanish Intro, you’ll learn basic Spanish grammar, vocabulary, and tenses. This class comes with a free electronic textbook, although you can purchase a physical textbook on their website. After you’ve finished the first Spanish Intro course, you can sign-up for the subsequent two courses. These beginner-level classes will expand upon what you learn in the first class. 

If you’re looking forward to speaking Spanish as you learn, check out ABC Languages SF’s Total Beginner Spanish class. This class will let you work at your level and pace. Plenty of focus will be given to conversational Spanish. You’ll speak during the class while conversing in the class and engaging in roleplay. You are responsible for procuring the required textbook, which can be purchased online. 

It can be intimidating to practice a new language in front of others. Luckily, ABC Languages offers private Spanish lessons. Learners of all skill levels can book a private lesson. Before your lessons start, you’ll discuss your learning needs, goals, and scheduling preferences with an advisor. The lessons will be customized to your skill level and the curriculum will be based on your needs. 

To learn more about intermediate or advanced-level Spanish classes, look at what’s available on CourseHorse. Several schools frequently offer a variety of Spanish classes that focus on conversing in Spanish, Spanish grammar, and the basics required for traveling. 

Private Group Spanish Classes

Are you and your friends planning a trip to Spain or another Spanish-speaking country but none of you can speak Spanish? If so, consider booking a private group Spanish class through CourseHorse. 

CourseHorse has a contact form on their website that you can use to reach out to them about the Spanish classes they can offer you. You can ask about the group sizes they can accommodate in these classes, which typically range from small to large, and discuss your group’s needs and goals in taking Spanish classes. You can also take a 20-minute demo for a fee of $100 to ensure that the class you’re booking is right for your group.

If you’re unsure of your group size when booking a class, provide CourseHorse with the minimum group size. They’ll let you update your headcount later when you have finalized it. CourseHorse does not charge booking fees. They’ll also allow you to cancel your class for free up to two weeks beforehand. CourseHorse classes can be taken using Zoom, WebEx, Google Meets, and Microsoft Teams, although Zoom is the recommended platform. 

CourseHorse offers a variety of private group classes, some of which can help your group prepare for a trip to Spain. If you’re interested in Spanish cuisine, check out their virtual Spanish Tapas class or their virtual Wine Workshop, which will include a tasting of a Spanish Rosé. 

What Will I Need to Learn Spanish?

Depending on the method you choose to learn Spanish, you may need to purchase materials. You can find an online teaching guide or language learning app for free or for a low price. Self-paced, on-demand classes can be found online for free as well. 

Immersive learning is the suggested method for learning a language quickly and thoroughly. You’ll want to listen to Spanish music and watch Spanish-language television and movies for this method. 

If you decide to take an in-person Spanish class, you will either need to purchase the required textbooks and vocabulary sets, or they may be provided by your instructor. You’ll also want to use a recording device and notebook when practicing Spanish. This way, you can keep track of your progress and listen back to yourself speaking, which can help you improve your pronunciation. 

It’s recommended that you use a combination of learning methods when learning a new language. This can include a combination of classes, apps, books, and everyday listening and speaking. 

Is it Difficult to Learn Spanish?

Learning a new language can be challenging. You must learn new vocabulary and grammar, and work on your pronunciation. It’s important that you focus not just on memorizing these aspects of the language, but that you work on listening, reading, and speaking frequently. It’s recommended that you spend 30 minutes a day learning your new language and expose yourself to it for one hour per day. 

Spanish is a familiar language to most native English speakers in the US. The country has a large Spanish-speaking population, and Spanish words are commonplace in everyday conversations among English speakers. The two languages also share similar or the same words. However, there are still differences between the two languages that you’ll need to get used to, such as gendered grammar. If Spanish is new to your ears, you may also find the pronunciation of some words difficult. 

Consistent studying and practicing are the key to learning Spanish. You must study frequently but also practice speaking it with other Spanish speakers or those learning. Exposing yourself to the language through music, the arts, and television is also useful. If you’d like to learn Spanish efficiently and thoroughly, you should take an in-person Spanish class alongside immersive experiences.